We have recently received evidence of Surrey County Council’s aspirations for Newlands Corner. SCC applied to the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in 2014 for funding to develop Newlands Corner. LEPs are government-sponsored organisations which give grants for business-orientated projects. Even we have been shocked by the scale of what SCC wants to do. It plans the “redevelopment and extension” of this iconic site for economic reasons, and says it will serve as a “trailblazer” for work on other iconic sites in Surrey and neighbouring counties. We have stated many times that the proposals would have implications for the rest of the SCC Countryside Estate, but this is much more than we anticipated. Fortunately, the application was refused. However, SCC’s intentions do not seem to have changed as it is ploughing ahead with the same proposals.
Click here to see the unabridged text from SCC’s application.
April 29, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Words fail me, How can these greedy blinkered councilors justify ruining such a beautiful spot and our children heritage. From the Victorians on wards it has always been a lovely spot for walking and picnics in peace and quiet , to let the children rough and tumble down the hill. go blackberrying or simply enjoy the beauty of our country. Just stop and rethink before it is too late.
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April 29, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Now that we have the local Council elections in May ..
Time to vote Out Councillor Mike Goodman ..
Perhaps that’s why SCC haven’t started any initial work at Newlands Corner so far ?
OR is it that just a coincidence ??
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April 29, 2017 at 4:51 pm
It is chilling to fully realise the rapacious view some of our councillors have regarding our unspoilt, natural spaces. People like this have no place here and should remove themselves from Surrey and go to an urban or suburban area taking their bigoted ideas and outlook with them. No matter how tight the budget, they have no right to bring about the destruction of our countryside.
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April 29, 2017 at 5:47 pm
Something Save Newlands Corner has been highlighting for a long time – notice the words “extended car parking”. Making the car park bigger is the only way that SCC can make its plans work. Goodbye to even more of the common and to the habitat of protected species.
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April 29, 2017 at 6:25 pm
The proposal as shown has no identifiable business plan merely unproven headline figures and statements. Given that Surrey Council has not been able to manage its current finances it is difficult to see how they will effectively manage this project.
The project will also damage an area of AONB with the proposed focus being on its commercial potential which may or may not work. SCC are not gifted in quality management and I would suggest that this idea to raise income from another source is flawed and should not be tolerated by the people of Surrey.
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